For centuries nervous candidates had only urban legends and vicious rumours to go on in preparation for their Oxford interview. But the university yesterday issued a set of sample questions and answers in an attempt to open up a rite of passage long enveloped in secrecy.

What is language? How would you design a dam? Would you rather save the rainforest or the coral reef? These will be pored over by interview candidates hoping to ready themselves for a one-on-one with a university don.

Oxford decided to release the examples in an effort to debunk myths about the admissions process. Mike Nicholson, Oxford’s director of admissions, said that the university wanted to show there are no “trick questions”.

“The interviews are all about assessing academic ability and potential,” he said. “The aim is to get candidates to use their knowledge and apply their minds to new problems while allowing them to shine. No special knowledge is required and there are no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ answers.”

The university is under pressure from companies who charge for interview preparation and claim to have the inside track on the kind of questions asked.

“These can often confuse candidates and we don’t endorse them,” a spokesman for the university said.

Oxford is also trying to increase the number of state school pupils and candidates from poorer backgrounds and such applicants are often deterred by the thought of a head-to-head with a leading academic. Independent school pupils are often trained for the interview by teachers or specialists brought in to conduct practice runs.

A study published this week suggested that private school pupils are still five times as likely to get into Oxbridge despite millions of pounds spent on widening access.

Open-ended questions are designed to start discussion rather than put students off, Mr Nicolson said.

Lorraine Wile, a Geography tutor at St Hilda’s College, posed the question. “If I were to visit the area where you live, what would I be interested in?”

She said: “The question gives candidates an opportunity to apply concepts from their A-level geography course to their home area.

“They might discuss urban planning and regeneration, ethnic segregation and migration, or issues of environmental management.”

Lucinda Rumsey, admissions tutor for English Literature said: “We are not trying to catch candidates out in interview and they shouldn’t feel they need to try to second guess what we are going to ask, and prepare answers.”

Other questions published include “Why does your heart rate increase when you exercise?” and “What does it mean for someone to ‘take’ another’s car?”

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